Top doctors back public smoking ban

Smoking should be banned in public places in Britain, senior doctors have demanded.

All 13 Royal Colleges of Medicine warned that employers had a duty to protect staff from harm and that smoke-free workplaces could save 150,000 lives in the long term.

In a letter to The Times newspaper, 18 signatories, headed by president of the Royal College of Physicians, Carol Black, criticised the current system of self regulation, adding: "We believe that the time has come for legislation to make public places smoke-free."

An estimated 1,000 adults die every year from diseases caused by passive smoking, the experts said.

"Many workplaces are now smoke-free but in the hospitality industry smoke exposure is still very high and poses a particular risk," the letter added.

"The current system of self regulation has failed to protect the majority of staff or customers."

The ban, which Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson had previously called to be considered, would include bars, clubs and restaurants.

According to The Times, it is believed that this is the first time all Royal Colleges have made such an issue a common cause.

Public health minister Melanie Johnson maintained that voluntary changes were the best approach despite the calls for the Government to alter the law.

"Smoke-free places are the ideal," she said. "However, a universal ban cannot be justified while progress is being made on a voluntary basis.